Apple Watch for ANDROID – Project Fennel Cancelled
Apple Watch only works with an iPhone and it’s the best smartwatch on the market right now. It’s long been wondered why Apple hasn’t ‘simply’ made the Watch available to Android phone users to control a significant chunk of the other side of the market. Now we know.
More: Bloomberg
Apple’s Project Fennel was aimed precisely with that goal in mind – to clean up in the Android space. The project was reported to be in an advanced state of readiness but was cancelled for ‘business reasons’.
The concern was that a move into Android would make the Watch less valuable to iPhone users and might stop people from moving from Android Phones to iPhones. Apple is and has always been extremely keen to protect its iPhone business and the iMessage service that is integral to its success there.
That’s it. It is as simple as that. Now we know.
Thoughts
My takeaway here for the future is that, if true, this report shows that Apple can readily move the Watch into the Android space if it changes its mind. It’s almost certainly done most of the groundwork and it probably wouldn’t take much over a year of software tweaks for Watch to support an Android phone.
Looking backwards you can see how Apple’s decision has made complete sense as the money rolled in. However, there are currently issues with selling iPhones in China and sales of iPhone 15 have not been as stellar as the company hoped. Apple is not in difficulty but, hey, most corporates want a bit more of our money at every possible turn.
The Android Apple Watch is the ace up Apple’s sleeve that can be played if things get tough.
Don’t expect to see one any time soon. But never say never.
This post is part of the Apple Watch guide for endurance sport on this site, which covers the full lineup, watchOS, accuracy data, the medical roadmap, and the complete set of articles.
Last Updated on 27 May 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
As an Android user, my dream device would be something like a Garmin Fenix running a cut down WearOS on a hyper efficient RISC-V SOC. Give me all of Garmin’s current metrics, plus LTE, Androids apps, a week long battery and you’ve got a killer product.